Imprisoned Former Minister Basil Rajapakshe Has Been Hospitalized For A Medical Checkup

The former Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapakshe who had been detained and remanded yesterday (18) over fraud charges has been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital today (19) for a medical checkup.

The former Minister who is also the younger brother of former President Mahinda Rajapakshe has been admitted to National Hospital per the recommandation of medical officer in Prison Hospital the Prison sources have stated.

He was detained by Police  Financial Crimes Investigations Division(FCID) over misappropriation of funds belonging to Divi Naguma Department.

The former Minister Rajapakshe was detained last year as well over the same caharges along with two other officials.However at that time he had spent most of his prison term in Merchants Ward in Colombo National Hospital after he complaint of  chest pain.

QUOTES FOR LIFE

Thirty Six Prison Inmates In Jaffna Prison Have Started A Hunger Strike

Thirty Six Prison Inmates in Jaffna Prison  who have been remanded over  drug trafficking charges have launched a hunger strike this morning by demanding their release on bail it has been reported.

However after participating the hunger strike  eighteen inmates had left the strike up to now the prison sources have stated.

Sri Lanka Transport Board Buses Too To increase The Bus Fares

The Bus Fares of Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB-LANGAMA) Buses too wil be increased by Rs.6 with effect from 01st of August according to the Deputy Minister of Transport Ashoka Abeysinghe.

The Cabinet has last Thursday approved the 6% bus fare hike to be implemented with effect from 01st of August per  the requests of private bus Unions.

Accordingly the new minimum bus  fare of SLTB  buses  will be Rs.9.00 with effect from 01st of August.

The SLTB Bus fare will be increased due to the rising costs at  SLTB  the deputy minister has stressed.

HEALTH TIP

A QUOTE FROM ThE WEB

Assosiation Of Medical Specialists Slammed GMOA Over Influencing Administerial Decisions Taken By The Health Department

The Association Of Medical Specialists has slammed the  doctors trade union   Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) yesterday(18) over influencing administerial decisions taken by the Health Department of the Ministry Of Health on intern and post internship doctors appointments.

Due to the GMOA's unnecessary involvement when preparing the Post Intern Appointment List on last May several doctors recruited for 37  small hospitals and units which are currently not functioned  have been removed from the list in the final moment the Association has stressed.

The GMOA Office bearers have favoured their friends in the list during the transfers Specialist Doctors have stated.

Addressing a press briefing held at Colombo National Hospital yesterday the President of tbe Association Of Medical Specialists Dr.Ratnasena has stated that GMOA cannot changed a doctors transfer list which approved by public services commission.As a trade union they have violated the establishment code by influencing the doctors transfers he has stressed.

The Association Of Medical Specialists have also requested the Health Ministry authorities to remove the GMOA representative who is staying forcibly in number 7 room attached to the Ministry and influencing administerial decisions of the Health Department fron the  Ministry Room.

If the authorities are not taken any action regarding this  the Association will organize an island wide trade union action of medical specialists against it.